Sometimes I overthink when it come to creating art.. alot of time i don't.. I just take what's in front of me and go and what ends up ends up..but there are times that I paint and I get frustrated that it's not turning out the way I want and I over think and overthink. then there are works of art that I see that just stops me dead in my tracks because it's so clean and fresh and simple yet so deep that I wonder how long it took someone to paint it.
Mindy Lacefilde is one of those artist.. that wow. Just blows me away. I would LOVE to learn to paint like her..
and luckily.. this year I can. Mindy just announced on her website about her new workshop coming this spring.
SHe talks about creating art as a child.. like remember when we were 7? and we just painted to paint? not to please anyone else.. but just yourself.. not overthink .. Just PAINT. She talks about how as we grow older we start to compare ourselves to other people.. and their art. We judge ourselves.. our art and wonder if we are good enough. Art isn't about thinking how good we are.. it's about finding ourselves and enjoying our passion. It's painting what's in our heart and bring soul and fire to what we are creating. MIndy's work just wow. SPEAKS to me. I wish I could own every one of her prints (she has an etsy shop too).
I have never met Mindy.. she doesn't even know who I am.. but I am in love with her work. LOVE it.so inspired by it.
(i love this print because it reminds me of my trues.. feeling blessed i get to spend time with some of them today here at Margie's house).
In this workshop she will help bring me back to those days were art was just about creating and defining myself as an artist.. I am also really excited to learn more about oil pastels.. as I am not really family with them at all.. Plus we will work with Inks, Watercolors, paints.. and more I CAN NOT WAIT! class starts in April.. signs up start Feb 13th. .. i will be first in line.. It's a little pricey.. not gonna lie.. it's $118 but early registration is $98.. so I am going to save my pennies this month and get it done. AND BECAUSE this week I have been talking about people joining me.. I am going to pay for someone to take this with me. Let's find our inner artist together!!!
I have started to realize lately how much I truly appreciate art. I mean everywhere.. everything. WHen we were in Hawaii one of my favorite things were to walk through local art galleries and just be inspired by all the forms of art being featured there. Jewelry, paintings, glass, sculptures.. just crazy how many forms of art there are out there. Even photos. SO to be inspired to go back to my childhood and paint freely.,, excites me. My friend Jamie, (who I am with today)... was sharing with me some art that her son, Calvin, who is 8 did recently
this is calvin.. seriously adorable
the minute I saw it my jaw just about dropped. I mean DROPPED.. I was in love with this particular painting.. so raw and true and wonderful. Let me tell you a little bit about it. Jamie and her family travel all over the world.. they've been to over 100 countries throughtout the world.. that is what they do for a living. Jamie and her husband had 2 adorable boys but wanted more but couldn't. So after a year of paperwork and time and patience.. they traveled to Africa as a family to meet their new daughter/sister. It was an amazing experience for them.
Calvin is an artist and loves to paint and draw and recently had to paint for his class in school. It was a piece on diversity and the beauty of it.. and he did it on africa to represent his sisters heritage.. this is the picture he painted.
AMAZING.. i seriously am going to buy a print. I need it for my art wall. I have started to collect art and prints from artist that just inspire me. THIS inspires me. It just simple and raw. there are no stamps on it.. no rubons.. no crazy artistic supplies that were made to create it.. just simple paint and a little boy's creative heart. LOVE it.
anyhow. just wanted to share this with you. I can't stop thinking about how inside all of us is an artist.. just waiting to be explored. I know there is. Hope you can find your inner artist this year. ..
anyhow. I am getting emotional.. better stop this post! lol..
oh! and we need to pick a winner from yesterday's class giveaway.. to Jessica's art journal class.. our winner is..
Joni Kix Moore who posted yesterday at 9:51 pm.
congrats girl! email me!
And to all of you.. I hope you truly have find discover your inner artist this year.. I can't wait to see how you spread your wings and fly. Leap with me!
happy friday!
Wow that looks like an awesome workshop. Thanks for the opportunity to win and for sharing such great class links.
Posted by: Karen | January 06, 2012 at 05:57 PM
You are finding the neatest classes... How I would love to take this class, tad out of my budget at present, but maybe in the future...Thanks for the chance to win...
Posted by: shar walker | January 06, 2012 at 06:21 PM
I am in love with Calvin's work of art... jaw dropping W O W.....
Posted by: Devonne | January 06, 2012 at 06:34 PM
this was another class i was thinking about, so many great classes out there i am having a hard time picking ugh happy friday
Posted by: Hypersky5 | January 06, 2012 at 06:52 PM
This would be so much fun...
Posted by: Sherry French | January 06, 2012 at 07:15 PM
This class sounds awesome! Would love to win a spot! Thank you!
Posted by: Nicole Rickman | January 06, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Thank you for sharing Calvin's painting...I love how beautiful & creative children are! Thank you for a fun week of art class ideas & give aways. ~H♥~
Posted by: Heather Williams | January 06, 2012 at 07:29 PM
What a lovely painting Calvin did! Thanks for sharing it. Oh, and I'd love to take this class with you!
Posted by: Susan Tidwell | January 06, 2012 at 07:41 PM
This class looks amazing.I would love to win the class and take the class with you!
Posted by: Amy Garbacz | January 06, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Your posts just make me happy!!! Enjoy your time with your girls:)
Posted by: Leslie | January 06, 2012 at 08:17 PM
Another great class! You've done your homework and found all the good ones! Thanks for bringing them to our awareness and for giving away spots in them. That piece that Calvin painted is awesome!!!!
Posted by: Julia M. in MI | January 06, 2012 at 08:31 PM
wow I would so love to take this class but I can't afford to right now. Thanks for giving me the chance to win a spot. I am loving the Texture Favorites kit that I bought.
Posted by: Katie | January 06, 2012 at 08:50 PM
I agree with what everyone has said, your generosity is wonderful. I would love to take this class with you!
Posted by: laurie | January 06, 2012 at 09:23 PM
That was a beautiful art piece! So sweet and pure...*sigh*....
Posted by: Dottee O. | January 06, 2012 at 09:51 PM
amazing! What a talent he has - can't wait to see more from him! Love reading your blog - you are such an inspiring artist and blogger. I just finished working in my art journal for today before coming to your blog - the words on my page today were "Don't be afraid... spread your wings and fly." Must be meant to be!
Posted by: Heather | January 06, 2012 at 09:54 PM
Hope you are having a great time in Utah with your besties and I would love to take this class!
Posted by: Denise S. | January 06, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Am I the only one who, as a child, overwrought her painting?
I remember the day when liberation came. Our art teacher took us to an art exhibition where modern painting was displayed and I was so surprised to see a piece that looked like a canvas full of smudges to the 11 year-old me. That is when I realized art is about having fun, about the joy in the process of creating. I have taken this year to remember the fun and will not do any custom design until I get the joy back. Thanks for the inspiration Christy! I love reading your blog.
Posted by: Meda | January 07, 2012 at 02:25 AM
I fell in love with Mindy's work recently and I will for sure take her class in April! Meet you there Christy!!!
Posted by: Bilou | January 07, 2012 at 03:00 AM
this looks like a great class that could teach us all so much. thanks for finding all these and sharing with us.
Posted by: Renee Sendelbach | January 07, 2012 at 08:09 AM
I would love to take one of Mindy's classes, she's teaching at ArtFest this year, but there is a wait list - so am still crossing my fingers to get in, but I'd love to do the online class!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 07, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Thanks Christy!
Cheryl
Posted by: cheryl | January 07, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Love to take this class... maybe I will be the winner. LOVED Calvin's art as well
Posted by: Melinda | January 07, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Hello Christy!
Fab clsses. Thanks for sharing... Beautiful!
Greetings from Puerto Rico
-Sony
Posted by: Sonia **Sony** | January 07, 2012 at 10:45 AM
sounds awesome! thanks for the chance!
Posted by: cristi | January 07, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Wow! What an amazing painting young Calvin made!! I wish I could create something so simple and so beautiful! I'd love to find back to my inner child!
Posted by: HegeF | January 07, 2012 at 11:06 AM